Old building departs

CITY Funeral Services has helped Mackay's families through some of the toughest days of their lives for half a century, but now its current Sydney Street building will be laid to rest.

In its place will stand a new facility, built on the same site but with more space and even a chapel that will seat 70 people.

Manager Bev Sologinkin said the service began in 1959 and was originally just an “old house”.

Since then it had been given revamps and additions, but nothing would compare to a new site.

“It's just outgrown itself,” Ms Sologinkin said.

“It was in desperate need of repair and upgrade.”

While she waits for the building to be demolished, then rebuilt from the ground up in what is expected to take about six months, Ms Sologinkin said business would continue as usual at their temporary location at 33 River Street, between Customs House and the Telstra Building.

“They said it would take about 24 weeks, so hopefully we're in our new premises before Christmas,” she said.

She said it would be “a bit sad” to see the old building go, especially after five decades of use, but “you just have to do it”.

Ms Sologinkin said she had worked with City Funeral Services for about 10 years and felt it was always the service that was the key to its longevity.

“It's just our service to the families of Mackay,” she said.

“I treat people the way I would want my family treated.

“We provide a service, but it's more than that I suppose.”

Ms Sologinkin said she had lived in Mackay her whole life, and her staff were all locals as well.

“I love helping families and making their last farewells something to remember,” she said.

This latest step for the funeral home has taken about three years through the planning stages to make it to this stage, convenient timing with this being the company's 50th year in Mackay.

Unfortunately though, it would celebrate its birthday this September officially, a time when the building will be far from finished.

That aside, there was no mistaking Ms Sologinkin's anticipation for the new premises.

This latest step for the funeral home has taken about three years through the planning stages to make it to this stage, convenient timing with this being the company's 50th year in Mackay.